NT fires

Divers blamed for spreading abalone virus

Abalone divers have come under fire for being partly to blame for the spread of a deadly virus which has stripped the industry of tens of millions of dollars.

Diseased molluscs have been found along a two-hundred kilometre stretch of Victoria's coastline.

Reefs have been closed and farms stripped of stock.

And there is no sign the epidemic is under control.

The herpes-like virus, called ganglio-neuritis was first detected at a Portland abalone farm early last year.

Since then its wreaked havoc on Australia's $75-million exotic and farmed abalone industry.

Dr. Peter Appleford, of Fisheries Australia says it is a nasty virus.

"It has a short infection time and a high mortality rate, so once the animals get it, they die," he said.

Hundreds of thousands of abalone farmed at sites where the virus has been detected were destroyed.

Breeders say the government was doing too little too late.

But today the authorities hit back, blaming divers.

Dr Appleford says divers must not dive in more than one place without thoroughly washing every single piece of their clothing and equipment, otherwise the deadly disease will continue to destroy the abalone industry.